Théâtre des Variétés

Welcome to the Paris theatre district! And as night falls, Parisians start gathering and theatre begin lighting up. Here, life starts after sunset... This is the setting of the Théâtre des Variétés, one of the oldest Parisian playhouses still operating.

Unique for its time, the Théâtre des Variétés was originally opened in 1790 by a woman, a certain Madame Brunet who was in close circles with the bourgeois of Versailles. After a brief period in prison for financial and political matters, she led the inception of the current location of the Théâtre des Variétés in 1807, at the entrance of the Passage des Panoramas, one of Paris' many covered passageways. For over two centuries, this high place of popular culture has seen on its stage some world-famous creators and artists, who forged its reputation and made it one of the most crowded theaters in Paris. Alexandre Dumas, Marcel Pagnol and Offenbach created some of their greatest works there!

This theatre even holds a few secrets! Back in a time when being seen out in public with anyone but your spouse would have certainly caused a scandal, the Théâtre des Variétés installed special screens in some of the private lodge seating, for mischevous theatre-goers to attend a show with whomever they please away from prying eyes. Can you spot the trap doors in the floor of the entry hall? As the backstage of this historic venue has little access due to the adjacent covered passageway, architects had to get creative and to this day much of the set and decor is entered through these secret trap doors!

La Flûte Enchantée

The story of the young prince Tamino, on his long journey for Love & Wisdom... The Magic Flute (German: Die Zauberflöte) is an opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The libretto was written by Emanuel Schikaneder who owned the Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden